The Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act (S. 2823) was passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate today, following the unanimous passage of the legislation by the U.S. House in April.

The musicFirst Coalition, formed of various artists and record labels who worked with legislators and in support of the MMA, has spoken in support of its unanimous passing. Chris Israel, musicFIRST’s Executive Director, spoke on the bill’s passing:

“After passing unanimously in the House of Representatives earlier this year, the musicFIRST Coalition is thrilled to see the Senate follow suit with unanimous passage of the Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act. We thank U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lamar Alexander, Chris Coons, Charles Grassley, Dianne Feinstein, and John Kennedy, as well the over 70 other cosponsors for spearheading this historic legislation. We also thank the entire music industry – artists, songwriters, record labels, publishers, technology companies, and more – for their years-long commitment to come to a solution that all parties could enthusiastically stand behind… The Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act will bring music licensing laws into the 21stcentury and cement the framework for a just relationship between music creators and the technology companies that benefit from their work.”

The Music Modernization Act is the first reform for music licensing in 20 years, and while the bill had passed the House in April it must be reconsidered in the House before signing. While the Music Modernization Act was met with wide support in the music industry, it had met with some opposition this summer from Sirius XM and the Blackstone Group, but with the Senate’s unanimous support it is expected to pass easily.